A growing number of people are looking to either rent or buy a property in Battersea because of the promising potential of the neighbourhood which is quickly establishing itself as a centre for culture.

A combination of reasonable rental rates, culture and wide open green spaces is making Battersea a highly sought after area for a mixture of social groups that are looking to move south of the River Thames.

Battersea is already attracting a trendy crowd of up-and-coming professionals who are looking to take advantage of the burgeoning art scene and the area's future regeneration plans.

Families are also fond of area due to the benefits afforded by Battersea Park and the fact that being located in Wandsworth means that homes in the borough boast one of the cheapest council tax rates in the country.

There are also numerous excellent schools in the region so Battersea is indeed an ideal location to raise a family and parents can quickly commute into the centre of London for their jobs.

An extension of the Northern line on the London Underground has been proposed which would make Battersea even more accessible with a plan for two new stations to service the area.

The Northern line extension would split off from Kennington and head westward towards new stations at Nine Elms on Wandsworth Road before terminating at Battersea Power Station.

Both stations would be within London Underground Zone 2 and could be open as soon as 2015 if the appropriate planning permission is granted by the relevant authorities.

The proposed new United States Embassy in Nine Elms and development of the Battersea Power Station site is driving the improvement of transport to the area and creating new jobs.

Battersea Power Station is set to be transformed into a mixed-use residential and commercial site with fashionable restaurants, thousands of new homes a hotel and conference centre.

If the advantages of Battersea are appealing to you, you can expect to be able to choose from a variety of properties ranging from Victorian terraces to flats overlooking the Park and fashionable riverside apartments.

South west London estate agents will be able to help you find a property that suits your lifestyle no matter what your requirements so take advantage of their experience and knowledge of the area.

Chiswick is located in the Borough of Hounslow and is a perfect example of how a relaxed, river-based village lifestyle can be achieved while living just minutes from the hustle and bustle of central London.

Most properties in Chiswick are within short walking distance to the Bridge of Kew Station (a twenty five minute trip Waterloo), Chiswick Park tube station and Chiswick High Road.

A vibrant collection of boutiques and restaurants helps to keep Chiswick fashionably up-to-date and Chiswick High Road, famous for an elegant coffee culture and the fabulous shopping, makes the area an ideal place to live.

The High Road is considered to be one of the most attractive leisure destinations as one can find Griffin Brewery, where Smith and Turner brew their ales so there is plenty of opportunity for people to whet their whistle.
 

If you feel in more of a tourist mood, you can visit the Chiswick house which was originally designed by the Third Earl of Burlington in the 1720s and houses some supreme surviving illustrations of Palladian architecture in Britain.

There are numerous collections of furniture and paintings which you can explore through shopping and there are also some of the most attractive and historically relevant gardens in the United Kingdom.

Another must visit location is the St. Nicholas church which is a 15th century tower where churchyard monuments mark the burial sites of the 18th century English artist William Hogarth.

Apart form the churchyard, there are many historic public houses in Chiswick and these can be found around the Strand-on-the-Green which stands in front of the river path.

There is the Tabard on Bath Road, which is near Turnham Green station and is well known for its magnificent interior designed by the famous wallpaper maker William Morris.

If you work outside of the area, Chiswick is situated at the start of the North Circular Road, South Circular Road and the M4 motorway, the latter providing a direct connection to Heathrow Airport and the M25 motorway.

Sheen is a generic term for East Sheen, Temple Sheen and North Sheen. Although the housing stock marginally differs, much of the property is Georgian, Victorian or Edwardian, with some of the houses converted into flats.

East Sheen lies to the east of Sheen Lane between Upper Richmond Road and Richmond Park and is a charming and affluent area with wide, leafy streets and a great mix of outstanding property.

Temple Sheen lies to the west of Sheen Lane and the little roads leading off Christ Church Road are particularly quaint. It is easy to imagine, as you sip a pint in the local pub, that you are sitting in a rural village.

Some of the houses approaching the entrance to Richmond Park at East Sheen Gate are akin to mansions and enjoy an incredibly rural environment.

North of Upper Richmond Road is North Sheen railway station and roads leading to Kew. This is an equally green and spacious area with large, semi-detached houses in tree-lined avenues.

West of North Sheen is Old Deer Park which offers numerous outdoor and indoor sports facilities.

Upper Richmond Road has numerous cafés, classy restaurants and plenty of shops, including a Waitrose. East of Sheen Lane is Palewell Common, which has a children's playground, playing fields and a pitch and putt golf course.

North Sheen and Mortlake railway stations provide a frequent service to Putney, Clapham Junction and London Waterloo.

In the opposite direction is Richmond station and adjacent is Richmond District line tube station, which links to the London underground network via Earls Court.

Sheen is served by a good choice of bus routes although Mortlake Road, Lower Richmond Road and Upper Richmond Road can get clogged with commuter traffic during peak periods.

Due east of North Sheen is Mortlake, which offers superb views of the River Thamers and is the finishing point for the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race.

Richmond-upon-Thames is just down the road from Sheen and has a beautiful late Victorian theatre and a choice of cinemas.

North of North Sheen is Kew Gardens' tube and railway station. The station buildings are an unusually fine example of mid-Victorian architecture and are protected as part of the Kew Gardens conservation area.

These homes range from large Victorian family houses opposite the Royal Garden, to large Victorian villas, smaller Edwardian family houses to purpose-built apartments and conversion flats.

Property developers are planning a number of riverside developments which, if given the go-ahead will create hundreds more homes. Kew is a very desirable and lovely residential area, surrounded by lots of green space.

House hunters no doubt will be interested to learn that according to those who live in Kew it has a real village atmosphere, and you can see why; with its village green complete with duck pond, traditional shops and pubs and a very old cricket ground.

In addition to the quaint and slightly old fashioned feel of Kew, property hunters will also find the usual selection of high street chains, which are all easily accessible.

Given its small size, Kew boasts a good choice of restaurants: Italian, Greek, Indian and one award winning restaurant. For further excitement and entertainment, property owners in Kew can visit nearby Richmond or Chiswick.

If you're house hunting and you have children, Kew offers a good selection of schools and, of course, a variety of places of interest to keep the family entertained; such as Kew Gardens.

Kew Gardens is a major tourist attraction and boasts amongst other things, two art galleries, and a Japanese garden. Kew also has the Old Deer Park and Richmond Park to the south.

All in all, Kew is a highly desirable place to reside as any prospective property hunter will feel like they're in the countryside when they explore Kew, and will be pleasantly surprised to find how well serviced it is for transport.

For the businessman who frequently travels abroad, the M4 provides a good road link from Kew to nearby Heathrow.

The A4 provides a good road link to London, alternatively if you travel by tube the District Line and Silverlink service at Kew provides easy access to the West End/City/North Woolwich.

Kingston, for example has a lot to recommend. The homes are close to a variety of markets, clubs, and museums. Homes in the Kingston area consist of charming mew houses and attractive flats. There are also blue plaque homes and cul-de-sacs in this neighbourhood.

Then there is Fulham, which is west of Chelsea. While Chelsea is posh, Fulham is pleasant and affordable. North of Fulham is, West Brampton and Baron's Court while to the northwest is Hammersmith and to the south is Putney.

Housing options include flats above the shops along Fulham Palace Road, Fulham Road, and Dawes Road. Houses sandwiched between these streets are two-story terraced homes. In addition, there are some apartment blocks near the Fulham Broadway Underground station and houses on the road leading into Hammersmith.

Across the Thames is Battersea, a leafy Wandsworth Borough inside Zone 2. The architecture here is handsome, with plenty of open green spaces and an absence of a popular tube line. Battersea can best be described as a quiet place within the city; and, it's complete with a small town charm.

The high streets are busy and there are plenty of pubs for an evening's entertainment after a hard day at work. An interesting fact about Battersea is that the Wandsworth Council tax may be the lowest in London. This area is wonderfully affordable.

Of course, it's impossible to talk about the south west London housing market without mentioning the Richmond neighbourhood. There are many flats, cottages, and attractive houses which makes a home move desirable.

Near Richmond Park are Victorian flats and semi-detached homes. Home buyers can get easy access to several area attractions and numerous shopping districts, which tend to lean on the small and cosy side.

These Richmond homes have delightful features like huge reception rooms and spacious kitchens, with many windows accessible to plenty of sunshine.

South west London has many fine flats and houses to consider for a home move. These homes are in good neighbourhoods, have pleasing architecture and come equipped with modern amenities.

The south west features many historical luxury homes and flats for sale. Sophisticated home buyers who are searching for fine examples of 18th and 19th Century architecture will enjoy shopping for a home in this area.

For example, there are often several Grade I and Grade II listed luxury properties for sale in the area. Many of these properties were built during the reigns of King George III and Queen Victoria.

They feature huge floor plans, lovely landscaping, flexible building concessions and great views of nearby landmarks.

In addition, many properties in this region are located close to premier shopping destinations, great restaurants, several clubs and many museums.

If you are in the market for a property in the south west London, this region of the city features many lovely homes which are close by glorious green areas such as Battersea Park.

Many of these properties offer reception rooms, beautiful bathrooms, lovely balconies and beautiful 19th and early 20th century architectural designs.

Furthermore, some properties in this part of south west London also offer residents private portage services, 24 hour security service and beautiful views of landmarks which add to the value of living in the area.

The south west London area features many homes and flats which are located inside some of the capital's most fashionable developments.

These homes offer residents quiet surroundings, beautifully landscaped gardens and secured parking. Residents will also enjoy the spacious bedrooms, modernised eat-in kitchens and lovely den areas.

Additionally, the area's proximity to Tube stations and other transport centres make properties in this region highly desirable.

Finally, people looking for homes in the area can find many fine properties located near fashionable locations which feature neat examples of the mews homes, penthouses and detached houses offered for rent and sale.

These homes often feature huge floor plans, nicely apportioned garages, large living rooms and gourmet-style kitchens. Residents will also enjoy the area's lovely landscaping and the areas secure off-street parking options.

For more information about properties in this part of the city, contact south west London estate agents who specialise in properties in the area.

Richmond is an exemplary example of a London suburb which is close enough to allow commuters to get to work easily and quickly but far enough to be a leafy and quiet residential area.

The civic headquarters are located in neighbouring Twickenham. Richmond lies on the River Thames and historically the river played a major role in the town's development.

Richmond has always attracted the noble and affluent classes. During the Tudor period, King Henry VIII used to rest and socialize there as the town is on route from London to Hampton Court.

Today, many celebrities reside in Richmond. Most of the properties in Richmond town are tall town houses from the Victorian and Edwardian period. Many were converted into flats during the 1960's but many have been reconverted back to single occupancy homes.

Richmond is a quaint town and despite major redevelopment in the early 1990's, planners did their best to conserve the unique flavour of the town.

New buildings overlooking the river were constructed in classical style and courtyards and alleyways were preserved. Richmond has some of the most expensive real estate in the Greater London area.

The main shopping centre of Richmond is built upon The Quadrant. There are a few chain stores represented there but the town specializes in independent or exclusive designer names for clothing and accessories.

There is a farmers market that operates weekly in the town in which it is possible to buy organic produce and homemade breads and pastries.

Richmond is well known as a centre for entertainment and nightlife. The Richmond Theatre is situated on Richmond Green and shows smaller productions than those that play at the West End.

The town has two cinemas and a lot of restaurants, pubs and nightclubs. Richmond is served by London's largest park, Richmond Park in which wild deer still roam free.

Though part of the enormous city of London, many choose to live in Battersea because it still has a small town feel.

Battersea has many top-rated primary and secondary schools, including both private and public schools. Many parents choose to raise their families in Battersea, as their kids can receive a good education in one of the safest sections of south London.

Battersea Park is a major attraction both for those who live in Battersea, and others who are just visiting London. It is one of the most famous parks in London, and even in the entire world.

With its 200 acres, the Park is great for escaping the stress of the city, without having to leave it. It is located along the Thames River, and there are many activities for children and adults.

There is live music every Tuesday and Friday night in the Park, and for kids there is a children's zoo. Paddle boats are available to rent. Festival Gardens is located in the Park.

It offers play areas, as well as shows and other activities for the whole family. Of course, there are walking paths through the entire park, where one can take a stroll or jog.

Many enjoy live shows and other exhibits at the Battersea Arts Centre. In Battersea one can enjoy a good meal at a wide range of pubs, restaurants and bars, many of which include a great view of the Thames.

The neighbourhood's transition from industrial to smart is epitomized in the £5.5 billion renovation of The Battersea Power Station to a mixed-use residential and commercial site.

The renovation is expected to make the power station a culturally iconic site, housing over 65,000 sq m of restaurants and shops, 3,700 homes, and a hotel and conference centre.

Londoners are quickly migrating to this up-and-coming neighbourhood south of the Thames for its unlimited entertainment, dining, arts, culture, and nightlife.

The young and trendy were the first to discover the area's potential, but with major renovations, huge real estate developments, and gargantuan city-planning projects, the rest of London is catching on.

It is certain to be the next "it" neighbourhood to live in and now is the time to make the migration before property prices soar, making living in this posh neighbourhood not only an enjoyable place to live and be seen, but a sound real estate investment for the future.

Shopping in Richmond is a great experience and at Christmas it could not get better thanks to the many well known high street names, designer stores and boutiques as well as a number of galleries and antique shops.

Only 15 minutes by train from central London you walk out onto a bustling main street, the Quadrant, into George Street and Hill Street as you stroll towards the iconic River Thames you find shops in alleyways and on cobbled streets.

There are interesting pubs, wine bars & cafes in which to stop and relax. Brewers Lane, Church Court, Paved Court, and Golden Court are all worth a visit.

Clothes shops include such names as Gap, Top Shop, Coast, Reiss, French Connection Ted Baker and Jack Wills and, of course the concession stores in House of Fraser.

Just along the river or the railway you will find Twickehham and, in particular Church Street, dating from the 17th Century it has a wide range of interesting shops and specialist shops.

If you do not fancy turkey for Christmas, Twickenham boasts one of the finest fishmongers to the south west of London.

Again on the Thames, there is Teddington and its famous Teddington Lock – where the tidal stretch of the River Thames ends.

Here you will find with a number of designer clothes, a well stocked kitchen shop and a range of others as well many wine bars and cafes.

Think about the end of Christmas dinner and visit the excellent Cheese shop in Station Road and, for you smokers, La Casa Del Habano, the cigar shop.

Other places to consider for Christmas shopping in the Borough of Richmond include Barnes High Street and Church Road which are perfect for their small boutiques and foot outlets.

There is also Whitton with some specialist shops, an excellent pub, an award-winning Butcher, beauty salons, a Chinese relaxation clinic where as St Margaret's in Crown Road and St Margaret's Road have gift, haberdashery and specialist shops.

Located between Putney and Chelsea, Fulham is famous for providing its residents with a luxurious lifestyle thanks to its wide open spaces, numerous boutiques and excellent eateries.

Many people might think of Craven Cottage when Fulham is mentioned and while there is a large football following, homeowners do not have to fear disruption every match day as the listed stadium is nestled nicely by the Thames.

The Hurlingham Club provides its members with sporting activities which are better associated with south west London such as tennis, croquet, cricket, bowls, golf, squash and swimming.

Several notable members frequent the prestigious club which is used by many players to warm up before Wimbledon each year although if you are new to the area you may have to wait years before achieving membership status.

Fulham Palace is another major attraction in the area with its historical museum and extensive botanical garden generating many visitors including tourists and local residents alike.

The garden plays host to many exotic imported species of flora and fauna thanks to the activities of the 17th century Bishop Compton who brought in plants and trees from the Americas.

Other notable features of the palace are that its moat is the longest in England while excavations have revealed evidence of Roman settlements which are displayed in the museum's exhibitions.

Fulham is not only about sport and history, however, as there are plenty of restaurants, bars and gastro pubs for residents to get their teeth stuck into during a lunchtime and evening.

The River Café and The White Horse and most popular with the local Sloane Ranger crowd thanks to their elegant interiors and the fine selection of food and beverages made available.

Residents can walk off their indulgence in one of the suburb's many lush green parks including Bishop's Park, Fulham Palace Gardens, Hurlingham Park, South Park, Eel Brook Common and Parsons Green.

If you prefer retail therapy to relaxing, there are numerous high-end boutiques to be found in the suburb as well as the more conventional chain stores in the Fulham Broadway shopping centre.

Fulham has something for everyone so if you are interested in moving to the area whether to buy or rent a property, it is important that you discuss your requirements with reputable south west London estate agents.